Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

February 08, 2016

MHA Newsline: Feb. 8, 2016

In this issue 

Hospitals contribute $4.3B in uncompensated care, health improvement programs to Minnesota communities

Past five years have seen nearly $1 billion increase in community benefit  
Minnesota’s hospitals and health systems contributed more than $4.3 billion in programs and services in 2014 to benefit the health of their communities, an increase of 4.6 percent compared to 2013, according to the latest annual Community Benefit Report released by the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA).   

“Minnesota’s hospitals and health systems work beyond the physical walls of the hospital to strengthen the health of Minnesotans and our communities,” said Lawrence Massa, president and CEO of MHA. “We know that much of what influences our health happens outside of the doctor’s office – in our schools, workplaces and neighborhoods. Just as our care teams devote themselves to meeting the needs of patients in the hospital, our hospitals and health systems are driven to address their own community’s needs.”   

Of the $4.3 billion, Minnesota hospitals provided $402 million in proactive services responding to specific community health needs, such as health screenings, health education, health fairs, immunization clinics and other community outreach, including in the areas of fitness, weight loss, mental health and diabetes prevention.   

To learn more and view the full report, visit the MHA websitereturn to top   

Mental health stakeholder conference to be held March 2

Recognizing the important roles multiple stakeholders play in building a better mental health system, MHA has joined a coalition of Minnesota partners to convene a mental health stakeholder conference on Wednesday, March 2, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Maplewood Community Center, 2100 White Bear Ave., Maplewood, MN 55109.   

“Partnering for a Better Mental Health System” will bring together mental health stakeholders from around the state to address challenges in the adult mental health system and build on existing strengths. The day will feature panels and discussion to foster understanding of the barriers within the system and gain agreement on how to address the barriers among community partners.   

The event is supported by the Association of Minnesota Counties, Mental Health Minnesota, Minnesota Association of Community Mental Health Programs, Minnesota Association of County Social Services Administrators, Minnesota Department of Human Services, MHA and NAMI Minnesota.   

Register online to attend the conference. There is a registration fee of $20, which includes lunch. Space is limited, so advance registration is encouraged. return to top   

New MHA fact sheets and Member Center updates

MHA has developed a series of fact sheets that can be used as handouts to help members inform legislators, community members and other stakeholders about important issues impacting Minnesota’s hospitals. Topics include: 

  • Overview of Minnesota’s hospitals 
  • Health care costs 
  • Patient safety and quality of care 
  • Health care access and quality rankings 

Fact sheets can be found on the MHA website.   

The MHA Member Center has been updated with new resources and reorganized to help you find information easily. Features of the Member Center include: 

  • A grassroots search engine, allowing you to find the contact information for your legislators by hospital 
  • Details on MHA committees and board, including rosters, meeting minutes and issue briefs 
  • Resources to help you learn about and participate in the Minnesota’s Hospitals: Strengthening Healthy Communities campaign 
  • Updated materials for use in discussions with legislators and community members, including: 
    • Health care costs 
    • Health care quality 
    • Mental health 

The Member Center is username and password protected. For login information, contact Ashley Beno, member services and communications specialist, 651-603-3545. return to top   

Don’t miss the chance to earn recognition for your hospital

Nominations due Friday, Feb. 26  
Is your hospital a best Minnesota workplace? Do you have an innovative patient safety program or exemplary caregiver who deserves recognition? If so, don’t miss the chance to submit a nomination for MHA’s annual awards program. For more than 30 years, the MHA Awards have celebrated outstanding work by Minnesota hospitals and health systems – and we want to honor you.  

 

MHA award categories recognize excellence including community health, best workplace and patient care. Honors for individuals recognize trustees, volunteers, hospital executives, caregivers and public officials. Additional information on the categories and judging criteria can be found on the MHA website.     

Entries are due by Friday, Feb. 26; find the entry form here: Nomination Form

MHA will notify all entrants whether they have won in mid-April. A reception and dinner will take place Friday, May 20, at the Metropolitan Ballroom in suburban Minneapolis. All MHA members and associate members are invited and encouraged to attend the awards ceremony. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for this celebration of excellence in Minnesota health care.   

For more information, contact Sarah Bohnet, MHA visual communications specialist, 651-603-3494. return to top   

HEARRT Midwest to hold sustainability event March 17

Healthcare Environmental Awareness and Resource Reduction Team (HEARRT) Midwest will hold “Going Green, Saving Gold: Success Stories from the OR” on Thursday, March 17, from 2-5 p.m. at Fairview Ridges Hospital, 201 E. Nicollet Blvd., Burnsville, MN 55337. The free event will include examples of MHA members making environmentally sustainable choices for the operating room that also save money. Learn more and register onlinereturn to top   

CDC issues interim guidelines related to Zika virus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued new interim guidance on preventing sexual transmission of Zika virus after confirming through laboratory testing, in collaboration with Dallas County Health and Human Services, the first case of Zika virus infection in a non-traveler in the continental United States during this outbreak.   

The CDC also has updated its interim guidance for health care providers in the United States caring for pregnant women and women of reproductive age with possible Zika virus exposure.   

For the latest information on Zika virus, visit the CDC website. Guidance on Zika virus, its transmission, treatment and response to the outbreak will continue to be updated as more becomes known. return to top   

New open appointments for health care-related members of public entities

The following state open appointments may be of interest to MHA members.   

The Health Care Homes Advisory Council is seeking one certified health care home representative. The advisory committee shall advise the commissioner of health on ongoing implementation of the health care homes program including, but not limited to: implementation activities on performance management and benchmarking; modifications to the health care homes program based on results of the legislatively mandated health care home valuation; statewide solutions for engagement of employers and commercial payers; potential modifications of the health care home rules or statutes; consumer engagement, including patient- and family‐centered care, patient activation in health care and shared decision-making; oversight for health care home subject matter task forces or work groups; and other related issues as requested by the commissioner.   

The Home Care Provider Advisory Council seeks one home care licensee member. The council will provide advice regarding regulations of the home care providers including community standards, enforcement of licensing standards and disciplinary actions, distribution of information to providers and consumers, training standards, emerging issues and other duties as directed by the commissioner.   

For more information and to apply, please visit the secretary of state’s websitereturn to top   

Up to $700,000 in health equity funding available

The Blue Cross Foundation will award a total of up to $700,000 to further health equity in communities across Minnesota. “Healthy Communities 2016: Health Equity in Action” provides grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 each per year. Applicants can apply for one- or two-year grants.   

The deadline to submit applications is March 31 at 4 p.m. Optional workshops and a webinar will be held during February to answer questions.   

Webinar information: 

  • Feb. 9: Informational webinar, 9:30-11 a.m. Registration is required. The webinar will be recorded for later viewing.

Workshop dates and locations: 

  • Feb. 16: Windom 
  • Feb. 17: St. Paul 
  • Feb. 23: St. Cloud 
  • Feb. 24: Grand Rapids 
  • Feb. 25: Crookston 

Learn more and register for a workshop or the webinar onlinereturn to top